CSC Gala 2019

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 11th annual Gala, The event, co-chaired by Ricardo Rodriguez and Michael Kelley, raised over $200,000 to support Free Shakespeare on the Common: Cymbeline and featured a performance by special guest, Tony winner and film and stage icon, Brian Dennehy.

Donations to the gala are 100% tax-deductible. For gala tickets and table sponsorships, you can deduct as a charitable contribution the price of the ticket or table, less its fair market value. We estimate the fair market value as $150 per person.

FAQ's

Valet Parking is available at the Fairmont Copley Plaza on both the St. James Avenue entrance and the Dartmouth Street entrance for a fee of $32. Parking is also available at the Dartmouth Street Garage.

Tickets cost $500 each. You may mail us a check: Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, 231 Forest Street, Sorenson Center, Babson Park, MA 02457. Please note “gala ticket” in the memo line of your check; or purchase tickets online via credit card.Tickets are not sold at the door. If you have any questions, please call 617-426-0863.

For gentlemen, black tie means a tuxedo and bow tie or a dark suit and tie. For women, formal evening attire, including long evening gowns, evening pantsuits, or cocktail dresses. Most women will be wearing long dresses.

Individual Benefits

Seating for 20 guests at 2 tables of 10 guests each at the CSC Gala on April 6, 2019 in a premium location

Recognition as a Gold Sponsor in the gala program book, from the podium during the gala, on CSC’s web and social media pages, and in CSC press releases

4 tickets to the pre-show reception on Opening Night of Free Shakespeare on the Common on July 24, 2019

4 reserved chairs in our Friends Section at Free Shakespeare on the Common, on Opening Night on July 24, 2019, plus 6 additional chairs to use at a performance of your choice (July 17 – August 4, 2019).

OR 10 reserved chairs in our Friends Section at another performance of your choice. Blackout dates may apply.

Recognition in our nightly pre-show public announcement at Free Shakespeare on the Common, and special thanks from the stage at each performance of Free Shakespeare on the Common

Invitations to other CSC events, including post-performance receptions to meet the artists

Silver Table Sponsor – $10,000

Seating for 10 guests at the CSC Gala on April 6, 2019 in a preferred location

Recognition as a Silver Sponsor in the gala program book, from the podium during the gala, and on CSC’s web and social media pages

4 tickets to the pre-show reception on Opening Night of Free Shakespeare on the Common on July 24, 2019

4 reserved chairs in our Friends Section at Free Shakespeare on the Common, on either Opening Night on July 24, 2019 or another performance of your choice (July 17 – August 4, 2019). Blackout dates may apply.

Invitations to other CSC events, including post-performance receptions to meet the artists

Bronze Table Sponsor – $5,000

Seating for 10 guests at the CSC Gala on April 6, 2019

Recognition as a Bronze Sponsor in the gala program book and on CSC’s web and social media pages

2 tickets to the pre-show reception on Opening Night of Free Shakespeare on the Common on July 24, 2019

2 reserved chairs in our Friends Section at Free Shakespeare on the Common, on either Opening Night on July 24, 2019 or another performance of your choice (July 17 – August 4, 2019). Blackout dates may apply.

Invitation to other CSC events, including post-performance receptions to meet the artists

Individual Tickets – $500

1 ticket for the CSC Gala on April 6, 2019

1 reserved chair in our Friends Section at any performance of Free Shakespeare on the Common

(July 17 – August 4, 2019). Blackout dates may apply.

Corporate Sponsorship

Your Company’s Participation
Sponsoring CSC is a wonderful idea for your company for four reasons:

You gain access to the annual theatre-going audience of tens of thousands on Boston Common through Free Shakespeare on the Common print and social media, including program book ads, billboards, banners, posters, postcards, acknowledgement as a sponsor from the stage, e-newsletters, listing and links on our homepage, commshakes.org, plus your logo and link on our Free Shakespeare on the Common and 2019 Gala web pages. You also gain access to the city’s elite cultural philanthropists who attend the CSC gala through tickets to attend the event.

Recognition opportunities – including signage on Boston Common – and at the gala! Corporate sponsors at the top levels may be the featured sponsor at a performance of Free Shakespeare on the Common that you select. In addition, your organization’s top executive is invited to welcome the crowd before the performance. You may choose to have a reserved tent in our front-of-house area to welcome your guests and if applicable, promote your organization to our general

Access to reserved chairs in our Friends Sectionat Free Shakespeare on the Common and behind-the- scenes tours of our production

Special benefits for your guests, including a discount code for reserved chairs to share with your employees or customers, discount codes for future CSC productions and merchandise, and special pre- show conversations for your guests about the production with Founding Artistic Director Steve Maler or Associate Artistic Director Adam

Corporate Sponsorship Levels & Benefits
As a thank you for your sponsorship, we will include the following benefits during our season, at the CSC Gala (April 6, 2019) and for Free Shakespeare on the Common: Cymbeline (July 17 – August 4, 2019).

Seating for 20 guests at 2 tables of 10 guests each at the gala in a premium location

Recognition as Platinum Lead Sponsor inthe gala program book

Special stand-alone gala signage noting your company as Platinum Lead Sponsor

Full-page advertisement with prime placement in the gala program book, full-page ad in the Free Shakespeare on the Common playbill, and half-page ads in 2 season productions playbills

Acknowledgement as Platinum Lead Sponsor in our press releases

4 tickets to the pre-show reception on Opening Night of Free Shakespeare on the Common on July 24, 2019

4 reserved chairs in our Friends Section on Opening Night of Free Shakespeare on the Common on July 24, 2019, plus 12 additional chairs to use at another performance date of your choice (July 17 – August 4, 2019)

Your logo on all CSC print materials for the 2018-2019 Season, Free Shakespeare on the Common, and for the 2019 Print media includes brochures, posters, postcards, billboards, advertisements, and all gala collateral materials

Logo on all e-newsletters through the end of our season on September 30, 2019

A banner, provided by you, featuring your business on the Boston Common for 4 weeks

Acknowledgement as Platinum Lead Sponsor from the podium at the gala, in our nightly pre-show announcement at Free Shakespeare on the Common, and special thanks from the stage at each performance of Free Shakespeare on the Common (18 performances)

Eligibility to be a featured sponsor at one of our performances of Free Shakespeare on the Common, including:

Opportunity for your organization’s top executive to welcome the crowd that evening before our performance (excludes Opening Night)

A reserved table in our front-of-house area where you can welcome your guests and if applicable, promote your organization to ouraudience

Special benefits to offer your employees or guests at Free Shakespeare on the Common, which may include a discount code for future CSC productions, a discount on CSC merchandise, and more

Invitations to other CSC events, including post-performance receptions to meet the artists

Gold Sponsor $25,000

Seating for 20 guests at 2 tables of 10 guests each at the gala in a premium location

Recognition as Gold Sponsor in the gala program book

Full-page advertisement with prominent placement in the gala program book, full-page ad in the Free Shakespeare on the Common playbill, half-page ads in 2 regular season production playbills

Acknowledgement as Gold Sponsor in our press releases

4 tickets to the pre-show reception on Opening Night of Free Shakespeare on the Common on July 24, 2019

4 reserved chairs in our Friends Section on Opening Night of Free Shakespeare on the Common on July 24, 2019, plus 6 additional chairs to use at another performance date of your choice (July 17 – August 4, 2019)

Your logo on all CSC 2019 gala web and social media pages, including our home page commshakes.org, our gala page, and on our Facebook gala page

Your logo on all CSC print materials for the 2019 Print media includes Save-the-Date cards, invitation, and all other gala collateral materials

Acknowledgement as Gold Sponsor from the podium at the gala, in our nightly pre-show announcement at Free Shakespeare on the Common, and special thanks from the stage at each performance of Free Shakespeare on the Common (18 performances)

A banner, provided by you, featuring your business on the Boston Common for 4 weeks

Invitations to other CSC events, including post-performance receptions to meet the artists

Bronze Sponsor $5,000

Seating for 10 guests at the gala

Recognition as Bronze Sponsor in the gala program book

Full-page advertisement in the gala program book

2 tickets to the pre-show reception on Opening Night of Free Shakespeare on the Common on July 24, 2019

2 reserved chairs in our Friends Section at Free Shakespeare on the Common, on either Opening Night on July 24, 2019 or another performance of your choice (July 17 – August 4, 2019). Blackout dates may

Logo on gala-related web and social media pages, including our home page, org, our gala page, and on our Facebook gala page

Invitations to other CSC events, including post-performance receptions to meet the artists